Follow the self proclaimed "Clot Buster" triathlete on his quest to raise funds for the NATIONAL BLOOD CLOT ALLIANCE- STOPTHECLOT.org
Come along for the SWIM, the RIDE, the RUN, and everything in between!
Learn more about blood clots and blood clotting disorders at www.STOPTHECLOT.org

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Monday, August 10, 2015

August Athlete of the Month

As we enter the month of August we are one month closer to the 2015 running of the New York City Marathon.

As such I have one more opportunity to feature another CLOT BUSTER SURVIVOR who is currently training and preparing for that magnificent race. She will be a part of Team CLOT BUSTERS Running to STOP THE CLOT!

Please allow me introduce to you SAMANTHA LEE and her personal account below.

What
is you sport/activity of choice? Why do you enjoy it?

Running was always my choice of
sports between running for my parish, Blessed Trinity, to running on the
varsity soccer field for Stella Maris High School. I enjoy running because it
an exciting activity between running to win or simply changing the speed of
your running.How
did you get started in that sport?

My parents placed my brothers and
I in every sport possible at a young age. We ran track, played basketball, swam
for the swim team, and ran on the soccer fields. We were always running it
seemed. I was very blessed to have parents who cared to teach us and have us
involved in both sports and education.

What
is the latest milestone you achieved or plan to achieve? (Long bike ride, some
race coming up or that you did)

Over the last few months, my
greatest milestones were running two half marathons. One half marathon was in
central park, and the other one was in Connecticut. It was exciting to complete
both half marathons.

Tells
about your clotting episode. Are you on blood thinners now? How long were
you out of commission?

Last summer, I was on vacation with my mom and
Great Aunt Muriel in the Czech Republic. I began experiencing breathing
difficulty in the days leading up to my hospitalization. The day before we were
supposed to leave the Czech Republic, my prescribed inhaler broke. My mom and I
went to a pharmacy. The pharmacist told me I would need a prescription. He said
there was a lung specialist in the next building. The lung specialist took my
vitals and took some blood work. An hour later, the blood work came back. The
lung specialist told me that she was sending me for another test, the very test
that saved my life. The lung specialist helped save my life. The doctors found
a pulmonary embolism bilaterally. The doctors put me in intensive care and
began treatment. I was diagnosed with DVT a few days later. I was transferred
to another hospital for another procedure to treat the DVT. I was hospitalized
for seventeen days. Through the love and support of my mom and Great Aunt
Muriel, I never gave up hope.When
were you able to get back into your activity? How did it feel that first
time?

It took me a few months to regain
my strength. I begin working out again a little bit at a time. I was nervous
the first time working out. The question was “What would I be able to do?”Would I be able to challenge myself and work
out the same way as before? Only time would tell, what would happen next?

My
sneakers are awesome. I think the pair I am wearing now is called brooks.

How much are you getting out doing
your sport? (Everyday you do some training, 2, 3, 4 times per week)

I
run at least 5-6 days a week. It feels odd if I don’t run that day. I love
running, can’t you tell!! I take at least 1-2 days a week to replenish my
strength and relax my muscles.

What
is your favorite food? Either generally or after a workout. For me
there is nothing better than a Chipotle Burrito.

Peanut butter and an apple is my
general go to food after a workout. It’s healthy and delicious. .

If
you could go some place to visit and explore, where would like to go?

I would like to go some place with
beautiful scenery and were I could run for miles on end, such as, Ireland. I
have never been there but I hear it’s beautiful

What would like to say to someone who is going through a clotting episode,
perhaps very similar to yours? How can people return to do what
they enjoy? Tells about your concerns and what you look out after as you got
back.

If you
are going through this right now, you can overcome. Please don’t give up hope.
Honestly, Its rough and my story began with a doctor saying you might not
survive tonight, and even with these treatments you can have complications.
Guess what? I prayed and thought of my nephew back in New York. I had
motivation and never loss sight of hope. Hope Prayers and Family got me through
this. You can survive too!! I will not be an easy road to recovery. It’s
difficult to go back to what you enjoy. But with time heals all things no
matter how big or little it may be.You
must have patience even though life will be different for you. I was concerned
with how my life would be, the quality of life; I survived and became a
marathon runner. Keep the hope alive!!!

Indeed Samantha KEEP THE HOPE ALIVE!

Blood Clot Survivors can do Amazing Things! You are one of those overcoming the challenges and going on to be a marathoner in November. I can't wait to see pictures of you finishing the race and show those blood clots that they cannot keep you down.